Page 21 of Stolen By The Bratva King

15

Emery

Ikept just one small bunch of blooms to replace the fake ones for a few days. I may as well enjoy their scent, if not the sentiment.

I put them on the counter and see a card propped against my coffee machine. The words are written in a neat, unhurried hand.

Don’t worry about a thing, baby. I’m always watching.

A freezing feeling grips my bones. I scan the room but can’t see anything amiss until my eyes stop on the hook by the door.

My spare key is missing.

When did it disappear? Dante must have taken it and given it to one of his goons.

I know how monstrous his ego is; his pride will hurt more than his nose today. He’s punishing me for what happened last night in the hospital parking lot.

I wonder about Dante’s heavies, who usually are not subtle about keeping close. I saw a van outside my apartment last night, but nothing happened after Leon came by.

Should I call Dante? I dismiss the idea immediately. He prefers to keep me on edge by demanding that I respond promptly to every message he sends, but if I reach out first, he gets angry with me. If he’s messing with my head, I’ll find out soon enough.

A daring thought hits. Leon was right here at my door, and I wasn’t watching him the whole time. He could have stolen the key and let himself in whenever he wanted.

Krissy’s number is on the notice board, and the flowers are in my bedroom; if he went snooping around, he’d have seen those too.

But when did he do it? This morning, after I left? How could he have known when I’d?—

Did Leon sneak in last night and come into my room while I was?—

I drop the card and bury my face in my hands, heat rushing to my cheeks. I refuse to believe it; stress and anxiety are making my mind run away with me.

Leon carried an injured child into the ER and refused to explain, so I have to assume he’s bad news. He was probably just playing games, trying to intimidate me into keeping my mouth shut.

Dante and Leon are both of the same tribe. Men who take but give nothing and want to make sure you understand that they could break you if they chose.

I’m always watching.

It hits differently when I imagine Leon saying it. Dante controls everything I do, but he never made me feel even close to cherished the way Leon did.

My lounge blind is open, and the window cracked slightly. I go to close it, but something stops me.

Leon told me to leave the blinds open. Last night, I even went to the window and put on a little show, imagining him watching me.

Sure, Emery.A man with a body carved from marble and eyes as dark as black coffee hid out in the freezing cold street just to catch a glimpse of your devastating perfection?Dream on, kid.

I’m crying, fat tears dripping onto the card in my lap. The writing smears, then fades, just like the happy kid I used to be.

Only a few days left before my life changes forever.

16

Leon

Iwatch Emery’s beautiful face fall and squeeze my hand into a fist, digging my nails into my palm.

Friday can’t come soon enough.

I’ll watch her, ensure she’s safe, and chase away all her problems for the remainder of the week. Then, I’ll remove the most significant obstacle on the wedding day.

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